Basford United 1-2 Nottingham Forest U23 (Notts FA Senior Cup Round Four) 04.02.20
Basford United were knocked out of the Nottingham Senior Cup following a spirited 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest Under 23’s. Goals from Will Swan and Virgil Gomis gave the visitors a 2-0 goal advantage at the break.
Matt Thornhill pulled a goal back for Basford in the 53rd minute but they could not find an equaliser despite some late pressure.
Basford United made five changes to the starting XI that lost 1-0 away to Gainsborough Trinity. Liam Bateman, Brad Gascoigne, Jack Thomas, Cieron Keane, and Nat Watson all came into the line-up. Dom Roma and James Reid all moved to the bench with Tyrese Sinclair, Kane Richards and Lewis Carr not included at all.
The early chances fell the way of the visitors with Zac Clough having an effort saved and another blocked before Swan struck the post all within the opening ten minutes. And just minutes later they went ahead. A good move saw Owen Gallacher square for Swan to fire into the roof of the net.
Basford’s response to falling behind was a positive one. Keane won the ball high up the pitch and saw an effort blocked with some last ditch defending. From the resulting corner Gascoigne flicked a header just wide of the mark.
Ryan Wilson saw a low cross blocked as Basford continued to grow into the game before Clough chipped an effort into the hands of Kieran Preston at the other end.
On 36 minutes the game saw its second goal. Gomis was slotted through on goal and he found the bottom corner of the net. Just minutes later the young forward was in again but was denied by the outstretched hand of Preston.
There was still time in the half for Basford to come close to getting a goal back. Both Stef Galinski and Gascoigne saw headers cleared and Watson fired over before the half time whistle.
The second half started in frantic fashion. After Gomis skied a spot kick James saw an effort cleared off the line for Basford before they pulled a goal back in the 53rd minute. The ball was cut back to Thornhill on the edge of the box and he passed it passed Jordan Wright and into the bottom corner.
Basford continued to apply pressure but it was the visitors who almost scored the next goal. Liam Sole found time and space to get a shot away but was denied by the fingertips of Preston in the Basford goal.
Liam Bateman then saw a dipping effort fall just over the bar and Thornhill had a freekick deflected for a corner that Forest scrambled clear. Even with five minutes added time Basford could not find an equaliser with Wright pulling off a fantastic save to keep out Ryan Wilson with the last shot of the game.
Basford United: Preston, Bateman (Rooney 87), Wilson, Thornhill, Gascoigne (Roma 60), Galinski, Thomas, Chettle, James, Watson, Keane.
Nottingham Forest: Wright, Back, Gallacher, Edser, Stewart, Barnes, Sole (Sanders 84), En’Neyah, Gomis (Sodiende 61), Clough (Dekel 61), Swan.
Venue: Greenwich Avenue (401)
*Article provided by Harry Worgan (Basford United Correspondent).
*Main image @Basfordutdfc United’s Cieron Keane takes on Forest’s Finley Back.
